816.444.5511, Extension 136
I am a licensed psychologist in Kansas City, and I bring a wide range of clinical experience to my practice. I received my doctorate from the University of Kansas and completed my training at the University of San Diego. I have worked and trained at four different university counseling centers across the country and have taught graduate courses at several local universities, including UMKC, Avila University, and the UMKC School of Medicine. I most recently served as a faculty member at the Research Family Medicine Residency Program teaching resident physicians before moving into full-time independent practice.
I believe that therapy work is greatly enhanced when you feel a strong connection with your therapist. When you know the person across the room “gets” you, it is a whole lot easier to make difficult changes and to start healing.
Building meaningful relationships with all of my clients is a top priority for me. As a therapist, I provide a blend of support and challenge; it’s my goal to help you feel grounded and give you new tools, so you can feel empowered to take risks and to be an agent in your own life.
I bring a sense of humor to my work while also leaving room for reflective conversation, and I strive to create a warm, collaborative, and transparent therapy relationship with each of my clients.
I typically utilize an integrated approach that relies heavily on interpersonal process and incorporates other empirically-supported interventions. I believe two critical ingredients for change are: increasing self-awareness and creating opportunities to have a different experience (both in therapy and in your life). In order to be the most effective, I typically tailor my approach based on your presenting concerns, personal background, and therapy goals.
My areas of interest and expertise include: managing anxiety and depression, trauma,
eating disorders, identity development (including sexual identity and gender identity), coping with grief and loss, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and family of origin issues. I specialize in working with trauma using empirically validated techniques, such as cognitive processing therapy. I have unique experience in working with graduate students, physicians, psychology professionals in training and early career psychologists.